Wood Question

[J Romano]

Hi All, I have a question about the wood that some of the basses are made of. I do wood working and also carving. When I carve I usually use basswood for figures or other objects. Basswood is soft enough that you can leave a mark with your finger nail in it. Yet I see basses (in one description the Bongo) made with a basswood body. Thinking of picking up another bass, but shying away from basswood and the Bongo. But I like the looks of the Bongo and would like to get a 5 string. Do I have miss information? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, John

 

[projectapollo]

Found this on the internet, so it must be true.

"Basswood
This is probably the softest of all hardwoods. Consequently, it has a nice warm tone and it’s very easy to work with. Unfortunately, that also means it dents very easily. Basswood bodies with maple tops provide a nice balanced tone. It’s too soft to use for necks, however. "

... and from wikipedia.....

Basswood. Genus: Tilia The principal wood used on many Japanese, Korean, and Chinese made instruments as well as most American and European made superstrat guitars, or any guitar that has a Floyd Rose or similar tremolo system. The tonal nature of this wood helps offset the "tinny" sound associated with the minimal contact of the tremolo to the body of the guitar if using other woods. It is found in North America, Asia and Western Europe and is also known as Linden. It is a very light wood but it also isn't very sturdy and has no real grain. In a natural finish it looks like balsa wood and is very unappealing for this reason. Its tonal response is very similar to Alder. Due to its "one size fits all" versatility and relatively cheaper cost, it has become very popular by many manufacturers today. Also for the reason that other traditional woods have become endangered or threatened and out of consideration of these facts a move to basswood has occurred by those guitar manufacturers who are conscientious of this environmental threat.

 

[drTStingray]

The Bongo is basswood - but covered in paint and clearcoat - mine certainly doesn't dent or chip any more readily than the ash bodied basses (though take care with the Bongo headstock - easy to chip).

The Bongo has a unique sound and I'm guessing the wood influences this quite a bit.

If you buy one you won't be disappointed.

 

[keko]

The Bongo is basswood - but covered in paint and clearcoat - mine certainly doesn't dent or chip any more readily than the ash bodied basses (though take care with the Bongo headstock - easy to chip).

The Bongo has a unique sound and I'm guessing the wood influences this quite a bit.

If you buy one you won't be disappointed.

+1

Especially this Bold section above!

 

[adouglas]

Just to add what little I know...

I believe the body finish on the Bongo (and other MM basses) is polyester. It is quite durable and fairly hard... there's no way you're going to gouge it with a thumbnail.

I have a couple of very small dings on my Desert Gold Bongo. The edge of each one shows a tiny crack around the perimeter, which indicates that it's a bit harder than the underlying wood.

Regarding the headstock... most Bongos have a ding in the tip, not because of anything having to do with the wood, but because the headstock is longer than most and has a point on the end. The neck is maple. The finish on the neck is not the same as on the body... it's paint without the hard clear coat.

 

[drTStingray]

Just to add what little I know...

I believe the body finish on the Bongo (and other MM basses) is polyester.

.................because the headstock is longer than most and has a point on the end

These were the words I was searching for! The Bongo is a very fine instrument.

 

[J Romano]

Thanks to all for the replies. I want a 5 string, gonna search GC used and the HOG (House of Guitars) here in Rochester. Might have some income tax money coming back to spend. Haven't seen a Bongo in person, gonna try to find one locally to test drive. Again, thanks, John